U.S. patent application number 16/804041 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-25 for ignition system.
The applicant listed for this patent is DENSO CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Keiko MIYAKE, Takashi OHNO, Kanechiyo TERADA.
Application Number | 20200200138 16/804041 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65527420 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200200138 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TERADA; Kanechiyo ; et
al. |
June 25, 2020 |
IGNITION SYSTEM
Abstract
An ignition system includes a primary coil, a secondary coil, a
first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a fourth switch, and
a switch control section. The primary coil includes a first
winding, and a second winding which is connected in series with the
first winding. The secondary coil is connected to an ignition plug
and is magnetically coupled to the primary coil. The first switch
connects and disconnects an electrical path between a first
terminal and a ground. The second switch connects and disconnects
an electrical path between a power supply and a second terminal.
The third switch connects and disconnects an electrical path
between the power supply and the first terminal. The fourth switch
connects and disconnects an electrical path between a contact point
and the ground. The switch control section controls opening and
closing of each switch to connect and disconnect the associated
electrical path.
Inventors: |
TERADA; Kanechiyo;
(Kariya-city, JP) ; OHNO; Takashi; (Kariya-city,
JP) ; MIYAKE; Keiko; (Kariya-city, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DENSO CORPORATION |
Kariya-city |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
65527420 |
Appl. No.: |
16/804041 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/JP2018/031325 |
Aug 24, 2018 |
|
|
|
16804041 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02P 15/00 20130101;
F02P 17/12 20130101; F02P 15/10 20130101; F02P 3/0407 20130101;
F02P 3/051 20130101; F02P 3/00 20130101; H01F 38/12 20130101; F02P
3/04 20130101; F02P 3/05 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F02P 3/05 20060101
F02P003/05; F02P 15/10 20060101 F02P015/10; H01F 38/12 20060101
H01F038/12; F02P 3/04 20060101 F02P003/04; F02P 17/12 20060101
F02P017/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 31, 2017 |
JP |
2017-167113 |
Claims
1. An ignition system which causes an ignition plug to generate a
spark discharge, the ignition system comprising: a primary coil
including a first winding, a second winding connected in series
with the first winding, a first terminal located on an opposite
side of the first winding from a contact point between the first
winding and the second winding, and a second terminal located on an
opposite side of the second winding from the contact point; a
secondary coil connected to the ignition plug and magnetically
coupled to the primary coil; a first switch located on a first
terminal side with respect to the primary coil and which connects
and disconnects an electrical path between the first terminal and a
ground; a second switch located on a second terminal side with
respect to the primary coil and which connects and disconnects an
electrical path between a power supply and the second terminal; a
third switch located on a first terminal side with respect to the
first winding and which connects and disconnects an electrical path
between the power supply and the first terminal; a fourth switch
located on a contact point side with respect to the first winding
and which connects and disconnects an electrical path between the
contact point and the ground; and a switch control section for
controlling opening and closing of the first switch, the second
switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch to connect and
disconnect the associated electrical path.
2. The ignition system according to claim 1, wherein the switch
control section is configured to, close the first switch and the
second switch with the third switch and the fourth switch kept
opened to pass a current from the second terminal of the primary
coil to the first terminal of the primary coil and subsequently
open the first switch and the second switch to interrupt the
passage of the current to the primary coil when starting the spark
discharge, and close the third switch and the fourth switch to pass
a current from the first terminal side to the contact point side
when maintaining the spark discharge after starting the spark
discharge.
3. The ignition system according to claim 1, wherein the switch
control section is configured to alternately repeat closing the
third switch and the fourth switch to pass a current from the first
terminal side to the contact point side and opening the third
switch and the fourth switch to stop supplying electricity from the
power supply to the first winding when maintaining the spark
discharge, and the ignition system further includes a recirculating
mechanism, which recirculates the current to the first winding when
the supply of electricity is stopped.
4. The ignition system according to claim 3, wherein the
recirculating mechanism includes a recirculation diode including an
anode connected to the ground and a cathode connected between the
first terminal and the first switch.
5. The ignition system according to claim 3, wherein the
recirculating mechanism includes: a recirculation diode disposed in
parallel with the first winding and includes an anode connected
between the fourth switch and the contact point and a cathode
connected between the third switch and the first terminal, and a
recirculation control switch disposed in parallel with the first
winding and is connected in series with the recirculation
diode.
6. The ignition system according to claim 3, wherein the
recirculating mechanism includes: a fifth switch located between
the contact point and the fourth switch and which is connected in
series with the fourth switch, and a recirculation diode including
an anode connected between the fourth switch and the fifth switch
and a cathode connected between the first terminal and the third
switch.
7. The ignition system according to claim 1, further comprising: a
secondary current detection section which detects a secondary
current that flows through the secondary coil, wherein the switch
control section opens and closes the third switch based on the
secondary current detected by the secondary current detection
section when maintaining the spark discharge.
8. The ignition system according to claim 1, further comprising: a
backflow prevention diode including an anode connected to the power
supply, wherein the second switch is connected to a cathode of the
backflow prevention diode and is configured to receive the current
from the power supply through the backflow prevention diode, and
the third switch is connected to the cathode of the backflow
prevention diode and is configured to receive the current from the
power supply through the backflow prevention diode.
9. The ignition system according to claim 1, wherein a turn ratio,
which is a value obtained by dividing the number of turns of the
secondary coil by the number of turns of the first winding, is
configured to be larger than a voltage ratio, which is a value
obtained by dividing a discharge maintaining voltage necessary for
maintaining the spark discharge by an applied voltage of the power
supply.
10. The ignition system according to claim 1, wherein a wire
diameter of the first winding is larger than a wire diameter of the
second winding.
11. The ignition system according to claim 1, wherein the power
supply, which applies a voltage to the primary coil in starting the
spark discharge, is a vehicle-mounted power supply and is shared as
a power supply for applying a voltage to the first winding in
maintaining the spark discharge.
12. The ignition system according to claim 1, wherein the primary
coil, the secondary coil, the first switch, the second switch, the
third switch, the fourth switch, and the switch control section are
accommodated in a casing of an ignition coil.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is the U.S. bypass application of
International Application No. PCT/JP2018/031325 filed Aug. 24, 2018
which designated the U.S. and claims priority to Japanese Patent
Application No. 2017-167113, filed Aug. 31, 2017, the contents of
both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an ignition system used in
an internal combustion engine.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In recent years, to improve the fuel efficiency of an
internal combustion engine for automobiles, studies have been
conducted on techniques regarding lean fuel combustion control
(lean-burn engine) or EGR that recirculates combustion gas to the
cylinders of the internal combustion engine. Regarding these
techniques, to effectively burn the fuel contained in an air-fuel
mixture, studies have been conducted on a continuous discharge mode
that causes an ignition plug to continuously generate spark
discharges for a certain period of time close to the ignition
timing.
[0004] A continuous discharge ignition system has been disclosed
in, for example, JP 2016-53358 A. In the ignition system, main
ignition is started at an ignition plug by supplying a current to a
primary coil so that the current flows from a first terminal of the
primary coil to a second terminal of the primary coil and then
interrupting the passage of the current. Subsequently, the primary
coil is energized so that a current flows from the second terminal
of the primary coil to the first terminal of the primary coil (in
reverse direction). Thus, the current is sequentially added and
supplied through the secondary coil in the same direction as the
current (secondary current) that flows when the main ignition is
turned on. This maintains the spark discharge at the ignition
plug.
[0005] In the ignition system, to generate a secondary voltage that
is enough to maintain the spark discharge at the ignition plug in
the secondary coil without using a boost circuit, it is necessary
to increase the turn ratio between the primary coil and the
secondary coil. For example, the turn ratio between the primary
coil and the secondary coil needs to be hundreds of times.
[0006] However, the discloser of the present application focused on
the point that if the turn ratio between the primary coil and the
secondary coil is increased, in starting the spark discharge, the
secondary current that occurs in the secondary coil is decreased,
which deteriorates the ignitability.
[0007] The present disclosure is intended to solve the above
problems. The main object is to provide an ignition system that
maintains a spark discharge in a suitable manner while inhibiting
the ignitability from being decreased.
SUMMARY
[0008] In an ignition system according to a first aspect, the
ignition system, which causes an ignition plug to generate a spark
discharge, includes a primary coil, a secondary coil, a first
switch, a second switch, a third switch, a fourth switch, and a
switch control section. The primary coil includes a first winding,
a second winding connected in series with the first winding, a
first terminal located on an opposite side of the first winding
from a contact point between the first winding and the second
winding, and a second terminal located on an opposite side of the
second winding from the contact point. The secondary coil is
connected to the ignition plug and is magnetically coupled to the
primary coil. The first switch is located on a first terminal side
with respect to the primary coil and connects and disconnects an
electrical path between the first terminal and a ground. The second
switch is located on a second terminal side with respect to the
primary coil and connects and disconnects an electrical path
between a power supply and the second terminal. The third switch is
located on a first terminal side with respect to the first winding
and connects and disconnects an electrical path between the power
supply and the first terminal. The fourth switch is located on a
contact point side with respect to the first winding and connects
and disconnects an electrical path between the contact point and
the ground. The switch control section controls opening and closing
of the first switch, the second switch, the third switch, and the
fourth switch to connect and disconnect the associated electrical
path.
[0009] According to the above configuration, after the first switch
and the second switch are closed to pass a current from the side of
the second terminal of the primary coil (the first winding and the
second winding) to the first terminal side, the first switch and
the second switch are opened to interrupt the passage of the
current to the primary coil, so that a secondary voltage occurs in
the secondary coil, and a spark discharge is generated at the
ignition plug. After generating the spark discharge, the third
switch and the fourth switch are closed to pass a current to the
first winding. At this time, the current flows from the first
terminal side to the contact point side. This allows a current to
flow in the same direction as and be superimposed on the secondary
current that flows through the secondary coil, so that the spark
discharge is maintained.
[0010] In starting the spark discharge, the current is passed
through the primary coil (the first winding and the second
winding), and in maintaining the spark discharge, the current is
passed through the first winding. Thus, even if the turn ratio
between the first winding and the secondary coil is increased, the
turn ratio between the primary coil and the secondary coil is
inhibited from being increased by adjusting the number of turns of
the second winding. Thus, while increasing the secondary current
that flows through the secondary coil in starting the spark
discharge, the secondary voltage that occurs in the secondary coil
is increased in maintaining the spark discharge. That is, while
inhibiting the ignitability from being decreased, the spark
discharge is maintained in a suitable manner.
[0011] In a second aspect, the switch control section is configured
to close the first switch and the second switch with the third
switch and the fourth switch kept opened to pass a current from the
second terminal of the primary coil to the first terminal of the
primary coil and subsequently open the first switch and the second
switch to interrupt the passage of the current to the primary coil,
when starting the spark discharge, and close the third switch and
the fourth switch to pass a current from the first terminal side to
the contact point side when maintaining the spark discharge after
starting the spark discharge.
[0012] According to the above configuration, the first switch and
the second switch are closed to pass a current from the side of the
second terminal of the primary coil (the first winding and second
winding) to the first terminal side, and the first switch and the
second switch are subsequently opened to interrupt the passage of
the current from the power supply to the primary coil, so that the
secondary voltage occurs in the secondary coil, and the spark
discharge is generated at the ignition plug. In starting the spark
discharge, since the third switch and the fourth switch are both
opened, the current from the second terminal to the first terminal
is inhibited from being decreased.
[0013] After generating the spark discharge, a current is passed
through the first winding by closing the third switch and the
fourth switch. At this time, the current flows from the first
terminal side to the contact point side. This allows the current to
flow in the same direction as and be superimposed on the secondary
current that flows through the secondary coil, so that the spark
discharge is maintained. In maintaining the spark discharge, since
the first switch and the second switch are both opened, the current
from the first terminal to the contact point is inhibited from
being decreased.
[0014] In a third aspect, the switch control section is configured
to alternately repeat closing the third switch and the fourth
switch to pass a current from the first terminal side to the
contact point side and opening the third switch and the fourth
switch to stop supplying electricity from the power supply to the
first winding when maintaining the spark discharge. The ignition
system further includes a recirculating mechanism which
recirculates the current to the first winding when the supply of
electricity is stopped.
[0015] The above configuration includes the recirculating
mechanism, which recirculates the current to the first winding when
the supply of electricity is stopped in maintaining the spark
discharge. Thus, in maintaining the spark discharge, the current
that flows through the first winding is prevented from being
rapidly decreased, which inhibits the secondary current that flows
through the secondary coil from being rapidly decreased.
[0016] In a fourth aspect, the recirculating mechanism includes a
recirculation diode including an anode connected to the ground and
a cathode connected between the first terminal and the first
switch.
[0017] According to the above configuration, when the supply of
electricity is stopped in maintaining the spark discharge, with the
fourth switch kept closed, the third switch is opened to
recirculate the current to the first winding through the
recirculation diode. Thus, the recirculating mechanism is achieved
with a simple structure, and the secondary current is inhibited
from being rapidly decreased, so that the spark discharge is
unlikely to be interrupted.
[0018] In a fifth aspect, the recirculating mechanism includes a
recirculation diode and a recirculation control switch. The
recirculation diode is disposed in parallel with the first winding
and includes an anode connected between the fourth switch and the
contact point and a cathode connected between the third switch and
the first terminal. The recirculation control switch is disposed in
parallel with the first winding and is connected in series with the
recirculation diode.
[0019] According to the above configuration, in maintaining the
spark discharge, when the electricity is supplied from the power
supply to the first winding, the third switch and the fourth switch
are closed, and the recirculation control switch is opened. When
the supply of electricity from the power supply to the first
winding is stopped, the fourth switch is opened, and the
recirculation control switch is closed. Thus, in stopping the
supply of electricity, the current is recirculated to the first
winding through the recirculation diode and the recirculation
control switch, and the secondary current is inhibited from being
rapidly decreased, so that the spark discharge is unlikely to be
interrupted.
[0020] In a sixth aspect, the recirculating mechanism includes a
fifth switch and a recirculation diode. The fifth switch is located
between the contact point and the fourth switch and is connected in
series with the fourth switch. The recirculation diode includes an
anode connected between the fourth switch and the fifth switch and
a cathode connected between the first terminal and the third
switch.
[0021] According to the above configuration, when the supply of
electricity is stopped in maintaining the spark discharge, the
fourth switch is opened with the fifth switch kept closed, so that
the current is recirculated to the first winding through the
recirculation diode. This inhibits the secondary current from being
rapidly decreased, so that the spark discharge is unlikely to be
interrupted.
[0022] In a seventh aspect, the ignition system further includes a
secondary current detection section which detects a secondary
current that flows through the secondary coil. When maintaining the
spark discharge, the switch control section opens and closes the
third switch based on the secondary current detected by the
secondary current detection section.
[0023] According to the above configuration, the secondary current
is detected, and the supply of electricity from the power supply to
the first winding and the stopping of the supply are controlled by
opening and closing the third switch based on the detected
secondary current to maintain the secondary current to an
appropriate value.
[0024] In an eighth aspect, the ignition system further includes a
backflow prevention diode including an anode connected to the power
supply. The second switch is connected to a cathode of the backflow
prevention diode and is configured to receive the current from the
power supply through the backflow prevention diode. The third
switch is connected to the cathode of the backflow prevention diode
and is configured to receive the current from the power supply
through the backflow prevention diode.
[0025] In general, the switches include, for example, antiparallel
connected body diodes. Thus, if the power supply is connected in
reverse, a large current may possibly flow through the circuit via,
for example, the body diodes. In this respect, according to the
above configuration, the backflow prevention diode protects the
circuit even if the power supply is connected in reverse. In
particular, even if the impedance of the second winding is small, a
large current is prevented from flowing through the circuit.
[0026] In a ninth aspect, a turn ratio, which is a value obtained
by dividing the number of turns of the secondary coil by the number
of turns of the first winding, is configured to be larger than a
voltage ratio, which is a value obtained by dividing a discharge
maintaining voltage necessary for maintaining the spark discharge
by an applied voltage of the power supply.
[0027] Thus, in maintaining the spark discharge, the energy is
input without a boost circuit.
[0028] In a tenth aspect, a wire diameter of the first winding is
larger than a wire diameter of the second winding.
[0029] Thus, in maintaining the spark discharge, the current that
flows through the first winding is increased to increase the
secondary current. Increasing the wire size of only the first
winding inhibits the entire size of the primary coil from being
increased.
[0030] In an eleventh aspect, the power supply, which applies a
voltage to the primary coil in starting the spark discharge, is a
vehicle-mounted power supply and is shared as a power supply for
applying a voltage to the first winding in maintaining the spark
discharge.
[0031] Since no power supply is necessary within the ignition
system, the ignition system is reduced in size. Since the use of
the vehicle-mounted power supply eliminates the need for a special
power supply, the ignition system is reduced in size. Since the
shared use of the vehicle-mounted power supply eliminates the need
for multiple power supplies, the ignition system is reduced in
size.
[0032] In a twelfth aspect, the primary coil, the secondary coil,
the first switch, the second switch, the third switch, the fourth
switch, and the switch control section are accommodated in a casing
of an ignition coil.
[0033] The accommodation in the casing of the ignition coil
improves the ease of mounting on the vehicle and reduces the
wiring.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] The above objects and other objects, features and advantages
of the present disclosure will be made clearer by the following
detailed description, given referring to the appended drawings. In
the accompanying drawings:
[0035] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an electrical
configuration of an ignition system;
[0036] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the ignition system applied to a
multi-cylinder engine;
[0037] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a casing of an ignition
coil;
[0038] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram when main ignition is
performed;
[0039] FIG. 5 is a timing chart when the main ignition is
performed;
[0040] FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are circuit diagrams when energy input
ignition is performed;
[0041] FIG. 7 is a timing chart when the energy input ignition is
performed;
[0042] FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing an electrical
configuration according to a modification of the ignition system;
and
[0043] FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing an electrical
configuration according to a modification of the ignition
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] Hereinafter, an ignition system according to one embodiment
will be described with reference to the drawings. The ignition
system is applied to a multi-cylinder gasoline engine (internal
combustion engine) mounted on a vehicle. Like or the same
components in the following embodiments are given the same
reference numerals in the drawings. The engine is, for example, an
in-cylinder direct injection engine that is capable of operating
in, for example, a lean-burn mode and includes a recirculation
control section, which generates recirculation (such as tumble flow
and swirl flow) of an air-fuel mixture in the cylinders. The
ignition system ignites the air-fuel mixture in a combustion
chamber of the engine at a predetermined ignition timing. The
ignition system is a direct ignition (DI) system that uses an
ignition coil corresponding to an ignition plug of each
cylinder.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, an ignition system 10 controls
energization of a primary coil 11 of an ignition coil based on an
instruction signal (a main ignition signal IGT and an energy input
signal IGW) given from an electronic control unit (ECU) 70
constituting the major part of the engine control. The ignition
system 10 controls the energization of the primary coil 11 to
control the electrical energy generated in a secondary coil 21 of
the ignition coil, thus controlling a spark discharge that occurs
at an ignition plug 80.
[0046] The ECU 70 selects an ignition mode in accordance with the
engine parameters (such as the warm-up state, the engine speed, and
the engine load) acquired from various sensors and the control
state of an engine 100 (such as whether lean burn operation is
performed and the degree of the recirculation) and generates and
outputs the main ignition signal IGT and the energy input signal
IGW in accordance with the ignition mode.
[0047] More specifically, the ECU 70 is configured to select and
execute either main ignition (inductive discharge main ignition) or
energy input ignition, which is executed to overlap the main
ignition, in accordance with the engine speed and the engine load.
The main ignition is the mode with the least energy consumption and
the least spark energy and is the mode suitable for the operation
in, for example, a stoichiometric region. The energy input ignition
is the mode that requires the most input energy to continue passing
a secondary current Ib of the same polarity to the ignition plug 80
continuously. However, the energy input ignition is the mode
suitable for a case in which the airflow speed in the engine is
fast due to forced induction and input of EGR, so that the spark is
influenced to be extended or blown out by the airflow.
[0048] When executing the main ignition, the ECU 70 outputs only
the main ignition signal IGT. When executing the energy input
ignition, the ECU 70 outputs the energy input signal IGW in
addition to outputting the main ignition signal IGT.
[0049] The ignition system 10 includes the primary coil 11, the
secondary coil 21, switching elements 31 to 34, diodes 41 to 47, a
current detection circuit 48, and a control circuit 60.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, the ignition plug 80 and the ignition
system 10 are mounted on each of the cylinders of the engine 100.
Although the ignition system 10 is provided for each of ignition
plugs 80, the structure corresponding to one ignition plug 80 will
be illustrated in this description.
[0051] The structures of the ignition system 10 are accommodated in
a casing 50 of the ignition coil, and the casing 50 is mounted on
the engine 100 as shown in FIG. 3. This reduces wiring and inhibits
the size of the ignition system 10 from being increased. Thus, the
ease of mounting the ignition system 10 on the vehicle is
improved.
[0052] The ignition plug 80 has a known structure and includes, as
shown in FIG. 1, a central electrode, which is connected to one end
of the secondary coil 21 through an output terminal, and an outside
electrode, which is connected (grounded) to a ground (GND) through,
for example, the cylinder head of the engine 100. The other end of
the secondary coil 21 is connected (grounded) to the GND through
the diode 47 and a current detection resistance 48a. The anode of
the diode 47 is connected to the secondary coil 21, and the cathode
of the diode 46 is connected to the current detection resistance
48a.
[0053] The current detection resistance 48a constitutes the current
detection circuit 48. The current detection circuit 48 is a
secondary current detection section, which detects the secondary
current Ib of the secondary coil 21. The current detection circuit
48 outputs a signal corresponding to the detected secondary current
Ib to the control circuit 60. The diode 47 inhibits the spark
discharge caused by an unwanted voltage generated when the primary
coil 11 is energized. The ignition plug 80 causes the spark
discharge between the central electrode and the outside electrode
by the electrical energy generated in the secondary coil 21.
[0054] The ignition coil includes the primary coil 11 and the
secondary coil 21, which is magnetically coupled to the primary
coil 11. The number of turns of the secondary coil 21 is larger
than the number of turns of the primary coil 11.
[0055] The primary coil 11 includes a first terminal 12, a second
terminal 13, and a center tap 14. In the primary coil 11, the
winding between the first terminal 12 and the center tap 14 is a
first winding 11a, and the winding between the center tap 14 and
the second terminal 13 is a second winding 11b. That is, the
primary coil 11 includes the first winding 11a and the second
winding 11b, which is connected in series with the first winding
11a. The primary coil 11 includes the first terminal 12, which is
on the opposite side of the first winding 11a from the center tap
14, and the second terminal 13, which is on the opposite side of
the second winding 11b from the center tap 14. The center tap 14 is
a contact point between the first winding 11a and the second
winding 11b.
[0056] The first terminal 12 of the primary coil 11 is connected to
the switching element 31. The switching element 31 is, for example,
a semiconductor switching element such as a power transistor and an
insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). The output terminal of
the switching element 31 is connected (grounded) to the GND. That
is, the switching element 31 is located between the first terminal
12 and the GND and is connected in series with the first winding
11a. The switching element 31 is configured to connect and
disconnect between the first terminal 12 and the GND based on the
signal from the control circuit 60. Thus, the switching element 31
is located on the first terminal side 12 of the primary coil 11 and
corresponds to a first switch that connects and disconnects the
electrical path between the first terminal 12 and the GND.
[0057] The diode 41 is connected in parallel to the switching
element 31. The diode 41 may be a parasitic diode (body diode) of
the switching element 31. The anode of the diode 41 is connected
(grounded) to the GND, and the cathode of the diode 41 is connected
between the first terminal 12 and the switching element 31.
[0058] The second terminal 13 of the primary coil 11 is connected
to the switching element 32. The switching element 32 is connected
in series with the primary coil 11 (the first winding 11a and the
second winding 11b) and the switching element 31. The switching
element 32 is, for example, a semiconductor switching element such
as a power transistor and a MOS transistor. The switching element
32 is located between the second terminal 13 and a power supply,
which is a battery 90, and is configured to connect and disconnect
between the second terminal 13 and the battery 90 based on the
signal from the control circuit 60. The battery 90 is, for example,
a known lead battery and supplies a voltage of 12V. The battery 90
is a vehicle-mounted power supply. Thus, the switching element 32
is located on the side of the second terminal 13 of the primary
coil 11 and corresponds to a second switch that connects and
disconnects the electrical path between the second terminal 13 and
the battery 90.
[0059] The switching element 32 is connected in parallel to the
diode 42. The diode 42 may be a parasitic diode of a MOS
transistor. The anode of the diode 42 is connected between the
second terminal 13 and the switching element 32, and the cathode of
the diode 42 is connected between the switching element 32 and the
battery 90.
[0060] The first terminal 12 of the primary coil 11 is connected to
the switching element 33. The switching element 33 is connected in
series with the first winding 11a of the primary coil 11. The
switching element 33 is, for example, a semiconductor switching
element such as a power transistor and a MOS transistor. The
switching element 33 is located between the first terminal 12 and
the battery 90 and is configured to connect and disconnect between
the first terminal 12 and the battery 90 based on the signal from
the control circuit 60. Thus, the switching element 33 corresponds
to a third switch located on the first terminal side 12 of the
first winding 11a and disconnects the electrical path between the
battery 90 and the first terminal 12.
[0061] The switching element 33 is connected in parallel to the
diode 43. The diode 43 may be a parasitic diode of a MOS
transistor. The anode of the diode 43 is connected between the
first terminal 12 and the switching element 33, and the cathode of
the diode 43 is connected between the switching element 33 and the
battery 90.
[0062] The center tap 14 of the primary coil 11 is connected to the
switching element 34. One end of the switching element 34 is
connected to the center tap 14 and the other end is connected to
the GND. The switching element 34 is, for example, a semiconductor
switching element such as a power transistor and a MOS transistor.
The switching element 34 is located between the center tap 14 and
the GND and is configured to connect and disconnect between the
center tap 14 and the GND based on the signal from the control
circuit 60. Thus, the switching element 34 corresponds to a fourth
switch that is located on the side of the center tap 14 of the
first winding 11a and connects and disconnects the electrical path
between the center tap 14 and the GND.
[0063] The switching element 34 is connected in parallel to the
diode 44. The diode 44 may be a parasitic diode of a MOS
transistor. The anode of the diode 44 is connected between the GND
and the switching element 34, and the cathode of the diode 44 is
connected to the center tap 14.
[0064] When the battery 90 is connected in reverse, a large current
may possibly flow through the circuit via the diodes 41 to 44,
which are connected in parallel to the switching elements 31 to 34.
In the ignition system 10 of the present embodiment, a backflow
prevention diode 46 is located between the battery 90 and the
switching element 32. The anode of the backflow prevention diode 46
is connected to the battery 90. The cathode of the backflow
prevention diode 46 is connected to the switching element 32. That
is, the battery 90, the backflow prevention diode 46, the switching
element 32, the primary coil 11, and the switching element 31 are
connected in series. The cathode of the diode 42 is connected
between the switching element 32 and the cathode of the backflow
prevention diode 46.
[0065] The cathode of the backflow prevention diode 46 is also
connected to the switching element 33. That is, the battery 90, the
backflow prevention diode 46, the switching element 33, the first
winding 11a, and the switching element 34 are connected in series.
The cathode of the diode 43 is connected between the switching
element 33 and the cathode of the backflow prevention diode 46.
[0066] As described above, the switching element 32 is connected to
the cathode of the backflow prevention diode 46, so that the
current from the battery 90 flows via the backflow prevention diode
46. At the same time, the switching element 33 is connected to the
cathode of the backflow prevention diode 46, so that the current
from the battery 90 flows via the backflow prevention diode 46.
[0067] A diode 45 is located between the switching element 33 and
the first terminal 12. The anode of the diode 45 is connected to
the switching element 33 (and the anode of the diode 43), and the
cathode of the diode 45 is connected to the first terminal 12. This
prevents a current from flowing to the side of the switching
element 33 via the diode 41 or the diode 44. In the present
embodiment, the diode 45 is provided, but does not necessarily have
to be provided as long as the withstanding pressure is ensured with
only the backflow prevention diode 46. Furthermore, during
energization for main ignition, to minimize the forward voltage
loss of the backflow prevention diode 46, the backflow prevention
diode 46 may be removed and the diode 45 may be used to protect
from the reverse voltage. In this case, the impedance of the
primary coil 11 only needs to be set to limit the current caused by
the reverse connection of the battery 90. In particular, the
impedance of the second winding 11b that has a relatively large
number of turns only needs to be set to limit the current that
flows from the side of the GND of the switching element 34.
[0068] The control circuit 60 (which corresponds to a switch
control section) includes, for example, an input/output interface,
drive circuits 61 to 64, a delay circuit 65, a setting circuit 66,
and a feedback circuit 67. The control circuit 60 controls the open
and closed state (connection/disconnection state, ON/OFF state) of
the switching elements 31 to 34 based on, for example, the
instruction signal from the ECU 70 and the output of the current
detection circuit 48. Thus, the control circuit 60 selects and
executes one of two ignition modes including "main ignition
(inductive discharge main ignition)" and "energy input ignition".
Hereinafter, the control circuit 60 will be described in
detail.
[0069] The drive circuit 61 is configured to receive the main
ignition signal IGT from the ECU 70. During the time period in
which the main ignition signal IGT is received (during a high
state), the drive circuit 61 outputs a signal to the switching
element 31 (brings into the high state) so that the switching
element 31 is closed (connected state, ON state).
[0070] The drive circuit 62 is configured to receive the main
ignition signal IGT from the ECU 70. During the time period in
which the main ignition signal IGT is received (during the high
state), the drive circuit 62 outputs a signal to the switching
element 32 (brings into the high state) so that the switching
element 32 is closed (connected state, ON state).
[0071] The drive circuit 63 is configured to receive a signal from
the feedback circuit 67. During the time period in which the signal
from the feedback circuit 67 is received (during the high state),
the drive circuit 63 outputs a signal to the switching element 33
(brings into the high state) so that the switching element 33 is
closed (connected state, ON state).
[0072] The drive circuit 64 is configured to receive a signal from
the delay circuit 65. During the time period in which the signal
from the delay circuit 65 is received (during a high state), the
drive circuit 64 outputs a signal to the switching element 34
(brings into the high state) so that the switching element 34 is
closed (connected state, ON state).
[0073] The delay circuit 65 is configured to receive the main
ignition signal IGT and the energy input signal IGW. When the main
ignition signal IGT makes a transition from the high state to the
low state (when the input is stopped), the delay circuit 65
determines whether the energy input signal IGW is being received
(whether the energy input signal IGW is in the high state). If it
is determined that the energy input signal IGW is being received,
after a predetermined delay time T1 has elapsed from when the main
ignition signal IGT made a transition to the low state, the delay
circuit 65 outputs a signal to the drive circuit 64 (brings into
the high state).
[0074] The delay circuit 65 stops outputting the signal to the
drive circuit 64 (brings into the low state) based on the energy
input signal IGW. More specifically, if the input of the energy
input signal IGW is stopped (makes a transition from the high state
to the low state), the delay circuit 65 stops outputting the signal
to the drive circuit 64 (brings into the low state).
[0075] The maximum time T2 of the output time of the signal from
the delay circuit 65 to the drive circuit 64 may be set as
required. However, to ensure the path of the energy input, it is
desirable that the maximum time T2 be longer than the maximum time
from the falling of the main ignition signal IGT to the falling of
the energy input signal IGW. Moreover, it is desirable that the
maximum time T2 end when the secondary current Ib reaches the lower
limit value.
[0076] The setting circuit 66 sets an upper limit value and a lower
limit value of a target secondary current based on the difference
between the rising time of the main ignition signal IGT and the
rising time of the energy input signal IGW (the time difference
when a transition is made from the low state to the high state).
The upper limit value and the lower limit value of the target
secondary current represent the range of the secondary current Ib
that desirably flows through the secondary coil 21 when the energy
input ignition is performed.
[0077] More specifically, the setting circuit 66 measures the time
from when the main ignition signal IGT makes a transition from the
low state to the high state to when the energy input signal IGW
makes a transition from the low state to the high state and
determines the upper limit value and the lower limit value in
accordance with the measured time. The upper limit value and the
lower limit value are previously stored in accordance with the
measured time. Subsequently (for example, after the delay time T1
has elapsed from when the main ignition signal IGT made a
transition to the low state), the setting circuit 66 outputs the
determined upper and lower limit values to the feedback circuit 67
and sets the upper limit value and the lower limit value in the
feedback circuit 67.
[0078] When selecting the energy input ignition, the ECU 70 changes
the rising time difference between the main ignition signal IGT and
the energy input signal IGW in accordance with the operating
conditions of the engine 100 to change the lower limit value and
the upper limit value in accordance with the operating conditions
of the engine 100 and outputs the main ignition signal IGT and the
energy input signal IGW. Additionally, the delay time T1 is set to
be larger than or equal to the time period from when the main
ignition is started to cause flying sparks between the electrodes
of the ignition plug 80 to when the secondary current occurs, so
that the current input to the first winding 11a through the energy
input operation does not influence the main ignition operation.
[0079] After the target secondary current is set, the feedback
circuit 67 outputs a signal to the drive circuit 63 during the time
period the energy input signal IGW is received based on the
comparison between the target secondary current and the secondary
current Ib detected by the current detection circuit 48. More
specifically, the feedback circuit 67 switches between a signal
output state in which a signal is output to the drive circuit 63
(brings into the high state) and a signal stop state (brings into
the low state) so that the absolute value of the secondary current
Ib detected by the current detection circuit 48 is maintained
between the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the
target secondary current during the time period the energy input
signal IGW is received (during the high state).
[0080] Subsequently, the manner in which the main ignition is
performed will be described based on FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the
energized path is shown by a solid line, and the non-energized path
is shown by a broken line. As shown in the drawing, the switching
elements 31 and 32 are closed with the switching elements 33 and 34
kept opened. Thus, a current flows from the battery 90 through the
path including the backflow prevention diode 46.fwdarw.the
switching element 32.fwdarw.the primary coil 11.fwdarw.the
switching element 31.fwdarw.and the GND. That is, the primary
current Ia flows from the second terminal 13 of the primary coil 11
to the first terminal 12 of the primary coil 11.
[0081] The secondary current Ib that seeks to flow through the
secondary coil 21 at the starting of the energization of the
primary coil 11 is blocked by the diode 47. Since the switching
element 33 is open when the main ignition is performed, the current
does not flow without passing through the primary coil 11.
Additionally, since the switching element 34 is open, the current
does not flow to the GND. Thus, the primary current Ia, which flows
through the primary coil 11, is inhibited from being decreased.
[0082] Subsequently, when the switching elements 31 and 32 are
opened, so that the passage of the current to the primary coil 11
is interrupted, a high voltage is generated in the secondary coil
21. Thus, the main ignition is performed at the ignition plug 80,
so that the spark discharge is started. At this time, the secondary
current Ib flows through the secondary coil 21.
[0083] The points in time various signals are input and the manner
in which the current changes when the main ignition is performed
will be described with reference to FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the main
ignition signal IGT is indicated as IGT, and the energy input
signal IGW is indicated as IGW. In FIG. 5, the current that flows
through the primary coil 11 (the primary current) is indicated as
Ia, and the current that flows through the secondary coil 21 (the
secondary current) is indicated as Ib. In FIG. 5, the current that
flows through the switching element 33 is indicated as I33, the
current that flows through the switching element 34 is indicated as
I34, and the current that flows through the diode 41 is indicated
as I41.
[0084] In FIG. 5, the signal from the control circuit 60 (more
specifically, the drive circuit 61) to the switching element 31 is
indicated as sw31. In FIG. 5, the signal from the control circuit
60 (more specifically, the drive circuit 62) to the switching
element 32 is indicated as sw32. In FIG. 5, the signal from the
control circuit 60 (more specifically, the drive circuit 63) to the
switching element 33 is indicated as sw33. In FIG. 5, the signal
from the control circuit 60 (more specifically, the drive circuit
64) to the switching element 34 is indicated as sw34.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 5, the drive circuits 61 and 62 of the
control circuit 60 control the switching elements 31 and 32 to be
closed (control to be in the ON state, or the connected state. The
same applies to the following) for the time period during which the
main ignition signal IGT from the ECU 70 is in the high state
(points in time P11 to P12). That is, the drive circuits 61 and 62
output signals to the switching elements 31 and 32 respectively
from the point in time P11 to the point in time P12 (bring into the
high state).
[0086] Thus, a voltage (battery voltage) is applied to the primary
coil 11 from the battery 90, so that the primary current Ia flows
from the second terminal 13 to the first terminal side 12.
[0087] When the primary current Ia is increased, and the main
ignition signal IGT is brought into the low state at the point in
time P12, the drive circuits 61 and 62 control to open the
switching elements 31 and 32 respectively (control to be in the OFF
state, or the disconnected state. The same applies to the
following). That is, the drive circuits 61 and 62 stop outputting
signals to the switching elements 31 and 32 respectively (bring
into the low state) at the point in time P12.
[0088] Thus, a high voltage occurs in the primary coil 11 and the
secondary coil 21, which generates a spark discharge at the
ignition plug 80 and causes the secondary current Ib to flow
through the secondary coil 21. Subsequently, the secondary current
Ib attenuates. When the secondary current Ib attenuates and becomes
less than a discharge maintaining current, which is the minimum
current that can maintain the discharge, the discharge at the
ignition plug 80 is terminated.
[0089] The manner in which the energy input ignition is performed
will be described based on FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, the energized path is
shown by a solid line, and the non-energized path is shown by a
broken line. As shown in FIG. 6(a), after starting the main
ignition, the switching elements 33 and 34 are closed while the
switching elements 31 and 32 are opened. Thus, the current flows
from the battery 90 through the path including the backflow
prevention diode 46.fwdarw.the switching element 33.fwdarw.the
first winding 11a.fwdarw.the switching element 34.fwdarw.the GND.
That is, a primary current Ie flows from the first terminal 12 of
the primary coil 11 to the center tap 14 (energy input).
Accordingly, a high voltage occurs in the secondary coil 21 in the
same direction as the inductive discharge, and the current is
superimposed on the secondary current Ib.
[0090] The turn ratio between the first winding 11a and the
secondary coil 21 is set so that the voltage that occurs in the
secondary coil 21 during the energy input becomes higher than the
discharge maintaining voltage necessary for maintaining the spark
discharge. More specifically, the turn ratio, which is the value
obtained by dividing the number of turns of the secondary coil 21
by the number of turns of the first winding 11a, is larger than the
voltage ratio, which is the value obtained by dividing the
discharge maintaining voltage necessary for maintaining the spark
discharge by the applied voltage of the battery 90.
[0091] In the above-described ignition system 10, to generate the
secondary voltage that is enough to maintain the spark discharge in
the secondary coil 21 without using a boost circuit in executing
the energy input ignition, the turn ratio between the first winding
11a and the secondary coil 21 is set large. For example, the turn
ratio between the first winding 11a and the secondary coil 21 is in
the hundreds.
[0092] However, when starting the spark discharge, the control
circuit 60 passes a current to the primary coil 11 (the first
winding 11a and the second winding 11b), and when maintaining the
spark discharge, the control circuit 60 passes a current to the
first winding 11a. Thus, even if the turn ratio between the first
winding 11a and the secondary coil 21 is increased, the turn ratio
between the primary coil 11 and the secondary coil 21 is inhibited
from being increased by adjusting the number of turns of the second
winding 11b. That is, the turn ratio between the primary coil 11
and the secondary coil 21 is set by adjusting the number of turns
of the second winding 11b.
[0093] Thus, while increasing the secondary current Ib that flows
through the secondary coil 21 in starting the spark discharge, the
energy input is performed with a low voltage in maintaining the
spark discharge, so that the secondary voltage generated in the
secondary coil 21 is increased. That is, the spark discharge is
maintained in a suitable manner while inhibiting the ignitability
from being decreased.
[0094] Note that, since the number of turns of the primary coil 11
is the sum of the number of turns of the first winding 11a and the
number of turns of the second winding 11b, an appropriate voltage
occurs in the secondary coil 21 and an appropriate secondary
current Ib flows when the spark discharge is started.
[0095] Referring back to FIG. 6, when the energy is input, the
secondary current Ib is gradually increased. The switching element
33 is then opened to stop the energy input and thus the increase in
the secondary current Ib so that the secondary current Ib is within
the predetermined range.
[0096] When the switching element 33 is opened, the battery 90 is
disconnected, so that the secondary current Ib is stopped. However,
the current that flows through the first winding 11a is rapidly
decreased, resulting in an undesirable rapid decrease in the
secondary current Ib. If the secondary current Ib is rapidly
decreased, the secondary current Ib might become less than or equal
to the discharge maintaining current, and the discharge might be
interrupted in some cases. If the spark discharge is undesirably
terminated, even if the energy input is resumed, a voltage
generated in the first winding 11a is so low that the spark
discharge is not achieved, and, thus, the secondary current may
possibly fail to be increased.
[0097] The ignition system 10 of the present embodiment includes a
recirculating mechanism. More specifically, the recirculating
mechanism includes the diode 41 as a recirculation diode. Thus, as
shown in FIG. 6(b), when the switching element 33 is opened, the
recirculating current flows through a recirculation path including
the GND.fwdarw.the diode 41.fwdarw.the first winding 11a.fwdarw.the
switching element 34.fwdarw.and the GND. Thus, the primary current
Ie is inhibited from being rapidly decreased, which inhibits the
secondary current Ib from being rapidly decreased. This facilitates
controlling to a predetermined secondary current Ib.
[0098] When the secondary current Ib is decreased to a
predetermined value, the switching element 33 is controlled to be
closed again.
[0099] Subsequently, the switching element 33 is opened and closed
so that the secondary current Ib is within the predetermined range.
Thus, the energy input ignition is performed at the ignition plug
80, so that the spark discharge is maintained.
[0100] The points in time various signals are input and the manner
in which the current changes when the energy input ignition is
performed after the main ignition will be described based on FIG.
7. IGT, IGW, Ia, Ib, I33, I34, I41, sw31, sw32, sw33, and sw34 in
FIG. 7 have the same meaning as those in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG.
7, the energy input ignition is performed by the control circuit 60
if the energy input signal IGW is in the high state when the main
ignition signal IGT makes a transition from the high state to the
low state.
[0101] At a point in time P21, when the main ignition signal IGT is
brought into the high state, the drive circuits 61 and 62 control
the switching elements 31 and 32 to be closed respectively. That
is, the drive circuits 61 and 62 output signals to the switching
elements 31 and 32 respectively (bring into the high state). Thus,
a voltage (battery voltage) is applied to the primary coil 11 from
the battery 90, and the primary current Ia flows from the second
terminal 13 to the first terminal 12. Subsequently, the primary
current Ia is gradually increased until the switching elements 31
and 32 are opened (the point in time P21 to a point in time
P23).
[0102] At the point in time P23 when the main ignition signal IGT
is brought into the low state, the drive circuits 61 and 62 control
the switching elements 31 and 32 to be opened respectively. That
is, the drive circuits 61 and 62 stop outputting signals to the
switching elements 31 and 32 respectively (bring into the low
state). This causes a high voltage in the primary coil 11 and the
secondary coil 21, so that a spark discharge is generated at the
ignition plug 80, and the secondary current Ib flows through the
secondary coil 21. Subsequently, the secondary current Ib of the
secondary coil 21 is gradually decreased until the energy is input
(the point in time P23 to a point in time P24).
[0103] At the point in time P24, the drive circuit 64 receives a
signal from the delay circuit 65 and controls to close the
switching element 34. That is, at the point in time P24, the drive
circuit 64 outputs a signal to the switching element 34 (brings
into the high state). The point in time P24 is the point in time
when the predetermined delay time T1 has elapsed from the point in
time P23 at which the main ignition signal IGT made a transition
from the high state to the low state. Thus, the switching element
34 is closed after the delay time T1 has elapsed from the point in
time P23 at which the main ignition signal IGT made a transition
from the high state to the low state.
[0104] At the point in time P24, the setting circuit 66 sets the
upper limit value and the lower limit value of the target secondary
current in the feedback circuit 67. The upper limit value and the
lower limit value of the target secondary current are set in
accordance with the time period from the point in time P21 at which
the main ignition signal IGT made a transition from the low state
to the high state to a point in time P22 at which the energy input
signal IGW made a transition from the low state to the high
state.
[0105] After the target secondary current is set, the drive circuit
63 controls the opening and closing of the switching element 33
based on the signal from the feedback circuit 67 and the secondary
current Ib for the time period (the point in time P24 to a point in
time P28) during which the energy input signal IGW is in the high
state. That is, the drive circuit 63 switches between the signal
output state in which a signal is output to the switching element
33 and the signal stop state based on the signal from the feedback
circuit 67 so that the secondary current Ib is maintained between
the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the target
secondary current.
[0106] For example, if the absolute value of the secondary current
Ib becomes less than or equal to the lower limit value of the
target secondary current, as shown in a point in time P25 to a
point in time P26, the control circuit 60 outputs signals to the
switching elements 33 and 34 (brings into the high state), so that
the switching elements 33 and 34 are closed.
[0107] This causes the primary current Ie to flow from the first
terminal 12 of the primary coil 11 to the center tap 14 (energy
input). That is, the current I33 (.apprxeq.primary current Ie)
flows through the switching element 33, and the current I34
(.apprxeq.primary current Ie) flows through the switching element
34. Accordingly, a high voltage is generated in the secondary coil
21 in the same direction as the inductive discharge, and the
current is superimposed on the secondary current Ib, so that the
secondary current Ib is increased. The primary current Ie is
increased in accordance with the energy input. During that time,
the current I41 does not flow through the diode 41.
[0108] If, for example, the absolute value of the secondary current
Ib becomes larger than or equal to the upper limit value of the
target secondary current, as shown in the point in time P26 to a
point in time P27, the control circuit 60 stops outputting a signal
to the switching element 33 (brings into the low state) with the
switching element 34 kept closed, so that the switching element 33
is opened. This stops power supply (energy input) from the battery
90 to the second winding 11b.
[0109] At this time, the recirculating current flows through the
recirculation path including the GND.fwdarw.the diode 41.fwdarw.the
first winding 11a.fwdarw.the switching element 34.fwdarw.the GND.
That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the current I34 flows through the
switching element 34, and the current I41 (.apprxeq.I34) flows also
through the diode 41. Meanwhile, the current I33 does not flow
through the switching element 33.
[0110] In this manner, since the recirculating current flows
through the first winding 11a, the primary current Ie is inhibited
from being rapidly decreased, and thus the secondary current Ib is
inhibited from being rapidly decreased and is gradually decreased.
This facilitates controlling the secondary current Ib to be within
the predetermined range.
[0111] As described above, the control circuit 60 controls the
switching elements 33 and 34 so that the secondary current Ib is
maintained between the lower limit value and the upper limit value
of the target secondary current during the time period the energy
input signal IGW is in the high state (the point in time P24 to the
point in time P28).
[0112] Subsequently, when the energy input signal IGW makes a
transition from the high state to the low state (the point in time
P28), the control circuit 60 stops outputting signals to the
switching elements 33 and 34 (brings into the low state), so that
the switching elements 33 and 34 are opened. This attenuates the
secondary current Ib, and when the secondary current Ib becomes
less than the discharge maintaining current, which is the minimum
current that can maintain the discharge, the discharge at the
ignition plug 80 is terminated.
[0113] The time period from the point in time P23 at which the main
ignition signal IGT makes a transition from the high state to the
low state to the point in time P28 at which the energy input signal
IGW makes a transition from the high state to the low state is set
by the ECU 70 in accordance with, for example, the operating
conditions of the engine 100.
[0114] The above-described embodiment achieves the following
excellent advantages.
[0115] The control circuit 60 closes the switching elements 31 and
32 to pass a current from the side of the second terminal 13 of the
primary coil 11 to the first terminal side 12 and subsequently
opens the switching elements 31 and 32 to interrupt the passage of
the current to the primary coil 11. This causes the secondary
voltage in the secondary coil 21, thus generating the spark
discharge at the ignition plug 80. Additionally, after generating
the spark discharge, the control circuit 60 closes the switching
elements 33 and 34 to pass a current to the first winding 11a. At
this time, the current flows from the first terminal side 12 to the
side of the center tap 14. This allows the current to flow in the
same direction as and be superimposed on the secondary current Ib
that flows through the secondary coil 21, so that the spark
discharge is maintained.
[0116] When starting the spark discharge, the control circuit 60
passes a current to the primary coil 11 (the first winding 11a and
the second winding 11b), and when maintaining the spark discharge,
the control circuit 60 passes a current to the first winding 11a.
Thus, even if the turn ratio between the first winding 11a and the
secondary coil 21 is increased, the turn ratio between the primary
coil 11 and the secondary coil 21 is inhibited from being increased
by adjusting the number of turns of the second winding 11b. That
is, the turn ratio between the primary coil 11 and the secondary
coil 21 is set regardless of the number of turns of the first
winding 11a.
[0117] Thus, while increasing the secondary current Ib that flows
through the secondary coil 21 in starting the spark discharge, the
secondary voltage that is generated in the secondary coil 21 is
increased in maintaining the spark discharge. That is, the spark
discharge is maintained in a suitable manner while inhibiting the
ignitability from being decreased.
[0118] In starting the spark discharge (during the main ignition),
the secondary voltage that is generated in the secondary coil 21 is
limited to be low by setting the turn ratio between the primary
coil 11 and the secondary coil 21 regardless of the number of turns
of the first winding 11a. Accordingly, the voltage applied to the
diode 47 is reduced, which allows the diode 47 to have a low
withstand voltage, or the diode 47 to be omitted. Thus, the costs
of the ignition system 10 are reduced.
[0119] When starting the spark discharge, since the control circuit
60 opens both the switching elements 33 and 34, the loss caused by
the switching elements 33 and 34 is minimized. This maximizes the
variation range when the primary current la is interrupted, and the
performance of the main ignition is enhanced.
[0120] After generating the spark discharge, the control circuit 60
closes the switching elements 33 and 34 to pass a current to the
first winding 11a. At this time, the primary current Ie flows from
the first terminal side 12 to the side of the center tap 14. This
allows a current to flow in the same direction as and be
superimposed on the secondary current Ib that flows through the
secondary coil 21, so that the spark discharge is maintained. In
maintaining the spark discharge, since both the switching elements
31 and 32 are opened, the primary current Ie of the energy input to
the first winding 11a is inhibited from being decreased.
[0121] The control circuit 60 includes a recirculating mechanism
that recirculates the current to the first winding 11a when the
energy input is stopped in maintaining the spark discharge. More
specifically, the diode 41 having the anode connected to the GND
and the cathode connected between the first terminal 12 and the
switching element 31 is employed to form the recirculating
mechanism having a simple structure. Thus, when the energy input is
stopped in maintaining the spark discharge, by opening the
switching element 33 with the switching element 34 kept closed, the
current is recirculated to the first winding 11a through the diode
41. Thus, in maintaining the spark discharge, the current that
flows through the first winding 11a is prevented from being rapidly
decreased, which inhibits the secondary current Ib that flows
through the secondary coil 21 from being rapidly decreased. Since
the primary current Ie that flows through the first winding 11a is
controlled so that the secondary current Ib is within the
predetermined range, it is easy for the control circuit 60 to open
and close the switching element 33 at appropriate points in
time.
[0122] Additionally, since the diode 41, which is the recirculation
diode, is antiparallel connected to the switching element 31, if
the switching element 31 is provided with a parasitic diode, the
parasitic diode may be used.
[0123] When maintaining the spark discharge, the control circuit 60
opens and closes the switching element 33 based on the secondary
current Ib detected by the current detection circuit 48. Thus, the
secondary current Ib is maintained to an appropriate value, and the
spark discharge is maintained in an appropriate manner.
[0124] In some cases, the switching elements 31 to 34 include
antiparallel connected diodes 41 to 44. Thus, if the battery 90 is
connected in reverse, a large current may possibly flow through the
circuit via, for example, the diodes 41 to 44. For this reason, the
backflow prevention diode 46 is provided between the switching
elements 32 and 33 and the battery 90. The backflow prevention
diode 46 protects the circuit if the battery 90 is connected in
reverse. In particular, even if the impedance of the first winding
11a is small as in the ignition system 10, a large current is
prevented from flowing through the circuit. [0125] The turn ratio,
which is the value obtained by dividing the number of turns of the
secondary coil 21 by the number of turns of the first winding 11a,
is larger than the voltage ratio, which is the value obtained by
dividing the discharge maintaining voltage necessary for
maintaining the spark discharge by the applied voltage of the
battery 90. Thus, in maintaining the spark discharge, the energy
without being changed is input from, for example, the
vehicle-mounted battery without a boost circuit. [0126] The battery
90, which applies a voltage to the primary coil 11 in starting the
spark discharge, is the vehicle-mounted power supply and is shared
as the power supply for applying a voltage to the first winding 11a
in maintaining the spark discharge. Thus, since no power supply
needs to be provided within the ignition system 10, the ignition
system 10 is reduced in size. Since the use of the vehicle-mounted
power supply eliminates the need for a special power supply, the
ignition system 10 is reduced in size. Additionally, since the
shared use of the battery 90 eliminates the need for multiple power
supplies, the ignition system 10 is reduced in size. [0127] The
primary coil 11, the secondary coil 21, the switching elements 31
to 34, and the control circuit 60 are accommodated in the casing 50
of the ignition coil. Thus, the ease of mounting the ignition
system 10 on the vehicle is improved and the wiring is reduced.
[0128] The control circuit 60 sets the upper limit value and the
lower limit value of the target secondary current based on the
rising time difference between the main ignition signal IGT and the
energy input signal IGW and controls the opening and closing of the
switching element 33 so that the secondary current Ib is within the
range. Also, whether the energy input is performed is controlled in
accordance with whether the energy input signal IGW is input. Thus,
the ECU 70 controls the secondary current Ib and the energy input
time in an appropriate manner in accordance with the operating
conditions of the engine 100 and the environment. This reduces the
power consumption and inhibits the wearing out of the ignition plug
80 while improving the ignitability.
Other Embodiments
[0129] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described
embodiment, but may be embodied as follows, for example. In the
following, the same reference numerals are given to those
components that are the same or equal to each other in the
embodiments, and the descriptions for the components with the same
reference numerals are incorporated herein by reference.
[0130] In the above-described embodiment, the recirculating
mechanism may be changed as required.
[0131] For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the recirculating mechanism
may include a diode 141 disposed in parallel with the first winding
11a, and a switching element 135 disposed in parallel with the
first winding 11a and is connected in series with the diode 141.
The switching element 135 is the recirculation control switch. More
specifically, the anode of the diode 141 is connected between the
switching element 34 and the center tap 14, and the cathode of the
diode 141 is connected to one end of the switching element 135. One
end of the switching element 135 is connected to the cathode of the
diode 141, and the other end of the switching element 135 is
connected between the switching element 33 and the first terminal
12.
[0132] With this configuration, when maintaining the spark
discharge, the control circuit 60 performs the energy input
(electricity supply) from the battery 90 to the first winding 11a
by closing the switching elements 33 and 34 and opening the
switching element 135. In contrast, when maintaining the spark
discharge, the control circuit 60 stops the energy input from the
battery 90 to the first winding 11a by opening the switching
element 34 and closing the switching element 135. When the energy
input is stopped in this manner, the current is recirculated to the
first winding 11a through the diode 141 and the switching element
135.
[0133] For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the recirculating mechanism
may include a switching element 235, which is a fifth switch
located between the center tap 14 and the switching element 34, and
a diode 241 located in the path connecting the switching element
235 and the first terminal 12. More specifically, one end of the
switching element 235 is connected to the center tap 14, and the
other end of the switching element 235 is connected to the
switching element 34, so that the switching element 235 is
connected in series with the switching element 34. The anode of the
diode 241 is connected between the switching element 34 and the
switching element 235, and the cathode of the diode 241 is
connected between the first terminal 12 and the switching element
33.
[0134] With this configuration, when stopping the energy input
(electricity supply) in maintaining the spark discharge, the
control circuit 60 opens the switching element 34 with the
switching element 235 kept closed, so that current is recirculated
to the first winding 11a through the diode 241. When stopping the
energy input (electricity supply) in maintaining the spark
discharge, the control circuit 60 may open the switching element 32
as in the above-described embodiment.
[0135] In the above-described embodiment, the first winding 11a and
the second winding 11b are formed by providing the center tap 14 on
the primary coil 11, but the first winding 11a and the second
winding 11b may be formed by separate windings.
[0136] In the above-described embodiment, the upper limit value and
the lower limit value of the target secondary current may be
certain values and may be previously set in the feedback circuit
67. Thus, the setting circuit 66 may be omitted.
[0137] In the above-described embodiment, the upper limit value and
the lower limit value of the target secondary current are set based
on the rising time difference between the main ignition signal IGT
and the energy input signal IGW. However, the setting method may be
changed as required. For example, the setting circuit 66 may
receive a setting instruction signal from the ECU 70 and may set
the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the target
secondary current based on the instruction signal.
[0138] In the above-described embodiment, the control circuit 60
does not necessarily have to perform a feedback control procedure
and may control the opening and closing of the switching element 33
based on predetermined times. For example, when executing the
energy input ignition, the control circuit 60 may switch the open
and closed states of the switching element 33 at every
predetermined switching time. In this case, since the secondary
current Ib does not need to be detected, the current detection
circuit 48 may be omitted. The feedback circuit 67 may also be
omitted. The predetermined switching time may be set by the setting
circuit 66, or may be set by the ECU 70.
[0139] In the above-described embodiment, the backflow prevention
diode 46 may be omitted.
[0140] In the above-described embodiment, all or some of the
components of the ignition system 10 do not necessarily have to be
accommodated in the casing 50 of the ignition coil.
[0141] In the above-described embodiment, the battery 90 is shared,
but multiple power supplies may be provided. That is, power
supplies with different voltages may be used in the main ignition
and in the energy input. Thus, for example, the turn ratio between
the second winding 11b and the secondary coil 21 can be
adjusted.
[0142] In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle-mounted power
supply is used as the battery 90, but a power supply may be
provided in the ignition system 10.
[0143] In the above-described embodiment, a boost circuit may be
provided. When executing the energy input ignition, the control
circuit 60 may apply a voltage boosted by the boost circuit to the
second winding 11b. Thus, for example, the turn ratio between the
second winding 11b and the secondary coil 21 may be adjusted.
[0144] In the above-described embodiment, the wire diameter of the
second winding 11b may be larger than the wire diameter of the
first winding 11a. Thus, in maintaining the spark discharge, the
current that flows through the second winding 11b is increased, so
that the secondary current Ib is increased. Increasing the wire
diameter of only the second winding 11b inhibits the size of the
entire primary coil 11 from being increased.
[0145] The ignition system 10 of the above-described embodiment is
employed in the multi-cylinder engine, but may be employed in a
single-cylinder engine. The ignition system 10 may be applied to an
internal combustion engine that uses fuel other than gasoline.
[0146] In the above-described embodiment, the delay time T1 from
when the main ignition signal IGT makes a transition from the high
state to the low state to when the delay circuit 65 outputs a
signal to the drive circuit 64 may be changed as required.
[0147] In the above-described embodiment, the control circuit 60
opens and closes the switching element 31 and the switching element
32 simultaneously in the main ignition operation. However, the same
advantages are obtained even if the opening and closing points in
time differ from each other.
[0148] In the above-described embodiment, the point in time at
which the switching element 34 is opened is set to the point in
time corresponding to the lower limit value of the secondary
current. However, the control accuracy may be increased by
reflecting the output from the feedback circuit 67 to the drive
circuit 64 and changing to control the switching element 34 when
the lower limit value is reached. Alternatively, a long time may be
set so that the attenuation of the secondary current Ib by the
recirculating current is completed.
[0149] Although the present disclosure has been described in
accordance with the embodiments, it is understood that the present
disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and the
configurations. The present disclosure embraces various
modifications and deformations that come within the range of
equivalency. Additionally, various combinations and forms, or other
combinations and forms including only one or more additional
elements, or less than all elements are included in the scope and
ideas obtainable from the present disclosure.
* * * * *